Hay-curing rack.



G. G. STARKE.

HAY CURING RACK.

APPLIGATION FILED AUG. 28, 1912.

Patented Apr. 22, 1913.

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GEORGE C. STARKE, OF AUBURN MILLS, VIRGINIA.

HAY-CURING RACK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 22, 1913.

Application filed August 28, 1912. Serial No. 717,565.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE C. STARKE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Auburn Mills, in the county of Hanover and State ofVirginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Hay-Curing Racks,of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to hay racks, and more particularly to the classof folding hay curing racks.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a rack of thischaracter on which hay may be shocked whereby a circulation of air willfreely pass through the hay and thereby prevent heating, sweating,molding or otherwise damage.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a rack of thischaracter in which the same employs a plurality of sections swinginglyconnected to each other so that when the rack is not invuse the same maybe readily and easily folded whereby it may be stored in the leastpossible space or may be conveniently transported.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a rack ofthis character which is simple in construction, strong, clurable,thoroughly reliable and efficient in its purpose, and inexpensive inmanufacture.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in theconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts as will behereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings :--Figure 1 is a top plan view of the rack constructedin accordance with the invention the same being shown set up. Fig. 2 isa plan View of the rack when folded. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of therack when in the position shown in Fig. 1, and by dotted lines the restsare shown in the position when sustaining a load.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings by numerals the hay rack comprises a pair ofswinging side sections A and B respectively each including spacedlongitudinal strips 5 suitably fixed to props or uprights 6 the sameground as shown in F i 9 being disposed in spaced relation to eachother. The uprights of both side sections at their upper ends are hingedtogether by means of bolt members 7 whereby the side sections may beswung toward and away from each other and on the setting up of the rackthe uprights 6 are arranged in upwardly converging relation to eachother so that their lower ends will rest upon the -l of the drawing. Itis, of course, understood that the longitudinal strips 5 may be of anydesirable length thereby increasing the load capacity of the rack.

'Connected with the uprights 6 and project-ing beyond the side sectionsA and B are bearing flanges or rests, each compris ing a plurality ofcross rails 8, the same being swingingly connected to the uprights 6 bymeans of bolt members 9, and fixed to these rails 8 at the outer endsthereof are rest strips 10 the same being coextensive with thelongitudinal strips 5 of the side sec tions, the inner ends of the rails8 being designed to contact with the lower edges of the longitudinalstrips 5 of the side sections A and B when the rack has been loadedwithmaterial such as hay, the side bearing flanges or rests are designed toprevent the falling of the hay from the rack and also obviate thebuilding up of the hay from the ground, or that is to say, preventingthe hay from contacting or resting upon the ground when loaded upon therack.

It will be obvious that a free circulation of air .will be permittedthrough the rack so as to cause the proper drying out of the hay orother material on the rack in the shortest possible time, and alsoprevent the possibility of the hay becoming injured in any manner duringinclement weather.

On each outermost rail 8 is mounted a turning knob or block 11 which isadapted to lock with the uprights 6 adjacent thereto when 'the restflanges and the side sections have been folded in parallel re lation toeach other, thereby sustaining the rack in its folded compact relationso it may be readily and easily transported from one point to another orstored in the least possible space when not in use.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, and operation ofthe device will be clearly understood and therefore a inplre extendedexplanation has been omitte \Vhat is claimed is 1. A rack of the classdescribed comprising a pair of side sections having uprights pivotallyconnected at their adjacent ends to permit the folding of the sidesections, and rest flanges pivotally connected to the uprights andprojecting outwardly and inwardly beyond the side sections whereby onthe loading of the side sections the rail flanges will prevent thedropping of the material from the said section for contactwith theground.

2. A rack of the class described comprising a pair of side sectionshaving uprights pivotally connected at their adjacent ends to permit thefolding of the side sections, rest flanges pivotally connected to theuprights and projecting outwardly and inwardly beyond the side sectionswhereby on the loading of the side sections the rail flanges willprevent the dropping of the material from the said section for contactwith the ground, and means on the rest flanges and engageable with theuprights for sustaining the flanges and side sections folded. Intestimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' GEORGE C. STARKE. W'itnesses:

CHAS. STEBBINS, Jr., J. A. BROWN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

